Former.



M. EGKELMANN.

FORMER.

APPLICATION FILED DEO.5, 1918.

1,100,718, Patented June 23,1914.

7/?! writ. J22 #522 2 0/" COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH (XI WASHINGTON, D. C-

UNTT

MAX EGKELMANN, OF DRESDEN', GERMANY.

FORMER.

Application filed December 5, 1913.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, MAX ECKELMANN, a subject of the King of Saxony, residing at Dresden-A, Germany, have invented certain Improvements in Formers, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to a former of the kind comprising a toe part and a resilient shank, the shank being connected to the toe part for inserting the same into and holding it in position in the boot.

The invention consists in the provision of a shank which can be adjusted longitudinally for making the former fit various sizes of boots.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 representing a sectional side view, and Fig. 2, an inverted plan of the improved former.

The toe part 1 of the former is connected to a resilient shank 2 by means of which itis inserted into the boot and held in position in the latter. According to the invention the shank 2 is made longitudinally adjustable so that the former can be made to fit various sizes of boots or shoes. This may be effected in various ways. Preferably the shank is composed of a blade spring having at its outer end a knob 6 and at its inner end a plurality of apertures 1 which are spaced along the shank. The part 1 has the shape of a shell and is formed on the underside with two brackets 7 between which a clamp lever 3 is arranged on a shaft carried by the brackets. The shank 2 is guided longitudinally between the brackets 7 and between the clamp lever and the shell, the lever being adapted, in one position, to clamp the shank against the shell. Downwardly projecting lugs 5 are also provided on the underside of the shell, near the brackets 7, so as to take into the apertures 4, thereby cooperating with the clamp lever 3 for securing the shank in position. By put Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J une 23, 1914.

Serial No. 804,914.

ting the lugs 5 into engagement with different apertures 4, the effective length of the shank 2 can be varied according to requirements. The same result may be obtained by forming the shank 2 of several overlapping parts which are adapted to be secured in various positions relative to each other, one part being rigidly connected to the part 1. The knob 6 may be connected to a neck which, by adjustment relative to the shank 2 will vary the effective length of the latter. The shank might also be composed of a plurality of overlapping resilient wires adapted to be adjusted relative to each other and secured in position. Instead of the blade spring 2, a flat wire spiral or a plurality of such spirals may be employed.

I claim 1. A former of the character described, comprising a toe part in the form of a shell, a clamp lever arranged within the shell, a resilient shank adapted to be clamped by said lever to the shell in a more or less projecting position, and means for preventing longitudinal displacement of the shank when thus clamped to the shell, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A former of the character described, comprising a toe part in the form of a shell, a pair of brackets formed within said shell, a shank in the form of a blade spring guided longitudinally between said brackets, a clamp lever held by said brackets for clamping the blade spring to the shell, and lugs formed within the shell and arranged so as to engage apertures in the blade spring for securing the latter relative to the shell 1n a more or less projecting position, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

MAX EOKELMANN.

Witnesses PAUL ARnAs, OTTO :MLEDAIN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C. 

